Advocates in Hospital (was) Re: Staph Infection

[Guest guest]

Jacqui:

I'm *SO* with you on that; we are constantly on-site when Cal is in

the hospital, except after he's gone to sleep, and then there are

explicit directions. My policy has always been that anybody who

can't be an effective advocate for themselves shouldn't be alone in a

hospital. This includes the demented, the intubated, the

recently-anesthetized, the very old and the young. My mom (who will

tell you she fits none of these categories) is a real people-pleaser

who also needs an advocate - squeaky wheels get grease and she's not

good about squeaking as needed.

We're *ridiculously* lucky that we can work from the hospital (free

Wi-Fi and careers that work well with our family situation, and it's

not a workable (let alone the right) solution for everyone.

In our case, there's also the co-factors; Jon and I are both somewhat

physically imposing (Jon especially), and I speak the lingo with

fluency and ease. Additionally, our go-to doctors are well-respected

in the hospital (one is the staff psychiatrist, the other the director

of rehab), so when the orders come from them, they know somebody means

business. We also have the advantage of good cop/bad cop. . . Jon is

the cuddly family member - I'm the .. uh . . more assertive advocate

who can take the unpopular positions with ease.